A MOTHER (GUEST STAR HOPE DAVIS) IS FORCED TO CONFRONT THE DISTURBING TRUTH ABOUT HER SON (GUEST STAR ETHAN CUTKOSKY) AS HIS VIOLENT TENDENCIES GROW OUT OF CONTROL.

When a school nurse notices several injuries on a young girl, the SVU detectives are called in to investigate. A closer look at her family reveals a mother (guest star Davis) struggling to manage the violent outbursts of her nine year old son (guest star Cutkosky.) As the SVU squad and the visiting Dr. Huang (BD Wong) debate an appropriate course of treatment, the situation rapidly explodes into a dangerous standoff. Meanwhile, Detective Amaro (Danny Pino) tries to establish a relationship with his newly discovered son. Also starring Mariska Hargitay (Detective Olivia Benson), Ice-T (Detective Odafin Tutuola), Dann Florek (Captain Donald Cragen) and Kelli Giddish (Detective Amanda Rollins.)

Thursday, March 28, 2013

The title of Law & Order SVU “Legitimate Rape” was drawn from real life headlines. In August 2012, former member of the U.S. House of Representatives for Missouri, Republican Todd Akin, stated that victims of rape rarely become pregnant, saying “If it’s a legitimate rape, the female body has ways to try to shut the whole thing down.” His ridiculous comment released a storm of outrage and criticism, and (thankfully) it helped him to lose his bid for re-election. I admit I was concerned that the writers could build a decent story over that one quote and was preparing for the worst. I was pleasantly surprised that I actually enjoyed this episode.

This episode focused less on the main cast and more on the guest stars, and luckily their acting skills were up to the challenge. Lauren Cohan’s character, Avery Jordan, started out a little flat, but as the stress of the trial(s) took their toll, she had more opportunity to show her range. David Marciano was perfect as the creepy and controlling stalker-rapist. Raúl Esparza continues to add spark to the legal aspect of Law & Order SVU and I am thrilled he had plenty of screen time in this episode.

The episode did have its predictable spots. When it was mentioned that Purcell had a law degree, it was obvious he was going to take charge of his own case(s). It was also no surprise that Avery took off with the baby. Of course, Benson’s own experience of being a child of rape would clearly be an issue for her. I was glad that we weren't hit over the head with that story, which is well known to SVU fans (and also tiresome for some). It was kept under the surface, and viewers could detect that it was on Benson’s mind at times. Thankfully, when it seems she is going to make the big reveal to Amaro, we were saved by the “fade to black.”

The episode satisfied my need for legal drama, and at times it felt more like a Law & Order episode (I am not complaining).

I wondered if Cragen will be forced to issue an Amber alert; technically this is now a case of a missing baby. If Benson were to tip off what she knows to the wrong person, she could be considered an accomplice. Even though Benson said Avery left against her attorney’s and Benson’s advice, the fact the Benson seems to have an idea of where they are hiding could implicate her as being a part of the plan for Avery to leave with the baby. I hope Amaro can keep secret what Benson confided in him.

Reporter Avery Jordan covers a baseball story in Chicago, and while on camera she is subjected to harassing behavior by the team. The news story is cut short, with the coverage coming back to the news anchor in New York, Jason Hollis. The cameraman in Chicago, Rick Purcell, appears dismayed.

At a later date, Detective Olivia Benson meets Avery in a small restaurant and wants to talk about a situation where Avery says she was sexually assaulted while she was traveling for work. She did not report it at the time. When some fans interrupt Avery’s conversation with Benson, Avery cuts the discussion short, and Benson gives Avery her business card and encourages Avery to call her.

Later, Avery comes home to her apartment to see a large manila envelope at the door marked that photos are enclosed and to handle with care. Inside, she opens the envelope to see compromising photos, with one marked “WATCHING YOU.”

Sometime later, Avery comes in to SVU wearing a hat and sunglasses to obscure her identity. Benson and Amaro speak with her in the interview room. She explains that her cameraman Rick Purcell has been stalking her, and explains the note left at her apartment. She explains she can’t go to her employer about this as she is a professional but she needs an out of work hours restraining order, When Amaro says it doesn’t work that way, she cuts him off and asks that they just call him and tell him to quit stalking her. When Benson asks if Avery told him that, Avery says she is trying to be polite and he is a good cameraman. Benson thinks Purcell may be imagining there is a relationship as he crossed a line and Avery pretended that nothing happened. Benson adds that if Avery wants them to help her, she has to tell them every single thing that happened. Avery explains that he got into her apartment after they came back from a road trip and he dropped her off and then carried up her bags. She thanked him and said she was tired and he headed toward the door so she thought he left. She went and took a shower and when she came out he was just standing there. He tried to kiss her and she said that she was tired and he needed to go, but he pushed her onto the bed and raped her. She did not scream or say no, she just froze. When Benson asks Avery to confirm that she told no one about this, Avery gets up and thinks there is no point. Amaro stops her and says they can still make a case, asking if he used a condom. Avery replies no, that is why she went to the doctor the next day and got tested for STDs. Benson thinks the doctors exam would be helpful, and Amaro asks if she still has the sheets and bedspread. She replies yes.

Later, in Cragen’s office, Fin is looking at a photo of Avery and asks if she is the one that wears the tight white jeans on the sidelines. Rollins tells him that is someone else and it is beside the point. Amaro walks in and hands Cragen the file, as he says this will be high profile and he needs to be kept in the loop. Benson explains it was not a jock who did this it was a cameraman and it happened in her condo after the 4th of July weekend, which Cragen comments was six weeks ago. Amaro explains Avery did see her doctor and they are checking the bedding for DNA. Rollins reminds them if they find anything, that does not preclude consent. Benson reminds them Avery came forward reluctantly and there is nothing in it for her. Cragen tells them to corroborate that, instructing them to clone her cell phone, check for recent texts and voice mailed calls. Fin asks about the cameraman, and Amaro explains that Richard Purcell is single and been at the company 10 years, and with the exception of speeding tickets, he’s clean. He also has a law degree at Fordham but did not take the bar exam. Cragen instructs them to go after him hard but this will be an uphill case especially if Purcell knows the law and tells Fin and Rollins to keep that in mind when they talk to him.

At Sports and Events Network, Fin and Rollins speak with Purcell who is surprised at the allegation. He thinks there was an unspoken attraction but Rollins says that is not how Avery tells it. Purcell says they have been working and travelling together since they hooked up and thinks because she is just bringing this up now, that “he” must have found out. When Fin asks who is “he”, Purcell says it is above his pay grade and he could get in a lot of trouble with his producers. Rollins says he is in trouble with the NYPD. Purcell says OK but they did not get this from him – Avery is also having an affair with one of the network anchors. He looks at the screen where Jason Hollis is on screen, then says he said too much.

Thursday, March 21, 2013

Law & Order SVU “Undercover Blue” was overflowing with deliciousness. Finally, Olivia’s boy toy has been revealed, and it’s none other than Detective – now Officer – Brian Cassidy. It’s a nice pairing which pleases on many levels. Cassidy and Benson both have a good understanding of working in Special Victim and working in law enforcement, and they both seem to be in similar places in their lives where they want to find happiness. Mariska and Dean Winters also have great chemistry on screen which goes back to season 1 of the series. Now that the rape accusation against Cassidy has proven to be false, it could only help Benson and Cassidy to continue build trust. It is satisfying to see Benson in a relationship that seems very warm and comfortable, unlike the somewhat stiff relationship she had with ADA David Haden. I guess we are to assume that “THE HAND” that we first saw holding Olivia’s in “Presumed Guilty” was Cassidy’s but we all know that hand in that episode looks nothing like Dean Winters’. Next time, they should consider “casting” their body parts a little better. (I kid!)

It was also strangely satisfying to have the smug and always sanctimonious Nick Amaro get taken down a notch when he is hung out to dry in open court for being less than perfect in his own undercover work. Amaro has always been too quick to judge, acting as if his own behavior is beyond reproach. Being exposed in such a public way may have been a necessary humiliation for Amaro, but hopefully it won't make him swing the other way and become too cautious in his work. Now that Amaro and Maria’s marriage has hit the skids, he has a new instant family, this time with a son. Danny Pino skillfully took Amaro on the emotional roller coaster where his undercover indiscretion was revealed and he found out he had a son out there with a woman who he had loved deeply – and maybe never stopped loving.

Dean Winters was always a favorite of mine during the first season of SVU and I am thrilled that these recent appearances have given him solid story lines which have the potential of growing and developing further over time. I was a nice bonus to have Dean’s brother (Scott William Winters) make a return appearance on SVU as well.

The episode also featured a nice dose of legal maneuvering, something which always makes an SVU episode seem far more interesting to me. The writing was exemplary and the episode moved at a rapid pace; there were no periods where the story dragged.

In the courtroom, ADA Rafael Barba is questioning Detective Brian Cassidy who is on the stand, but it is just a practice session and Cassidy is not quite in the spirit of things. Meanwhile, back at SVU, Amaro is on the phone discussing Zara with Maria. As Benson, Fin, and Rollins move to leave for the day, Benson tells Munch to go home, there will be bad guys to catch tomorrow. Munch asks “who are you and what have you done with Detective Benson?” She says she is taking the night off, and Munch tells her with the Captain on vacation not to worry about them, they are fine and will carry on. Amaro and Maria are disagreeing but when Amaro sees a woman walk into the squad room who is escorted by an officer, he cuts the phone call short. The woman tells Amaro she was raped by a cop.

Later, a shocked Munch questions what Amaro told him about the woman claimed Cassidy raped her. Amaro explains that she said it was four years ago when Cassidy was undercover with some pimp and she never saw him again until she recognized his picture in the paper about the Ganzel trial. Munch thinks this is one hell of a coincidence. Munch reminds Amaro about Ganzel drugging Cragen and putting a dead hooker in his bed, and Amaro reminds him it was Carissa, the hooker that Cassidy had an affair with. Munch says that is why Cassidy has been busted down to uni and he works nights at a Bronx courthouse, adding he has paid the price. Munch emphasizes they have protocol to follow and suggests they try Cragen first. When Amaro comments that Cragen is on a fishing boat off Bimini, Munch states dryly that rules are rules.

Soon afterwards, Amaro and Munch are at Cassidy’s apartment and Munch knocks on the door, cautioning Amaro not to enjoy this too much. Cassidy opens the door and is surprised to see Munch and Amaro standing there. Munch calls Cassidy “numb nuts” and chides Cassidy for not asking who it is before he opened the door. Cassidy replies he thought it was his Thai food. Munch tells Cassidy they need to talk and Amaro stresses now, asking if they can come in. Cassidy replies that this is not really a good time, and a woman’s voice calls out but Cassidy calls back that he has this. Amaro asks if he has company, and Cassidy sarcastically replies that it is Amaro’s sister and he should have told him she snores and he will call them tomorrow. But as he moves to close the door, Benson walks in wearing just a shirt and asks if he needs change. Amaro pushes back on the door to prevent Cassidy from closing it and sees Benson, and Amaro and Munch look stunned.. Benson looks surprised to see them but just says “hey guys” and takes a breath.

At SVU, Munch and Amaro speak with Cassidy who gripes that IAB called him at 6 AM and Munch says they were trying to give him a heads up but he was “busy.” Cassidy says they are talking rape and he wants to know where this is coming from. Munch explains the accuser is Heather Riggs, and when Cassidy asks Heather who, Amaro tosses the file on the table, asking Cassidy if she looks familiar. Cassidy looks at the photo and put his head down, saying yeah, he thought her name was Brooklynn. He adds she is a working girl. He ask if she got arrested and is trying to make a deal. When Amaro explains she came in on her own account, Cassidy notes it is right before he is set to testify against Ganzel. He explains she did not work for Ganzel, it was before that, a small time pimp, Andre Larouche, a total sleazebag who got put away. Amaro says that Riggs claims she was forced into hooking and Cassidy broke her in. Cassidy emphasizes she is lying, then asks if Amaro passed on the report to IAB. Munch reminds Cassidy he knows they had no choice. Cassidy replies “Yeah, right” and grabs his coat and storms out of the room.

As Cassidy walks through the squad room, Fin asks him what is up and Cassidy says he came in for breakfast. Benson is walking in and she and Cassidy pass each other and say their hellos but Cassidy comments “Long time no see” to which Benson plays along and says “Oh, good to see you." Rollins sees the looks that are exchanged between Benson and Munch and Amaro and asks if they are missing something. Munch tells Rollins and Fin that they do not need to know.

Benson walks over to Amaro and asks what is going on, and Amaro suggests she ask Cassidy. She says OK and as she begins to walk off, Amaro asks “Really? You and Cassidy.” She explains she did not tell him because it is none of his business, it’s not that big of a deal, and she didn’t tell him because she didn’t want this.

At the Two Bridges Coffee Shop, Cassidy tells Benson this is a lynch mob organized by Ganzel who gave Amaro the rope. Benson asks him to be more specific, and Cassidy explains he is being framed for rape. Benson is stunned, asking when, who. Cassidy is annoyed, saying she i asking the wrong questions. She asks him what she should ask.

Back at SVU, Benson walks up to the rest of the team and Munch is telling them that if Cassidy was framed, IAB will figure it out. Fin thinks IAB makes frames, they don’t break them. Rollins asks Benson and Munch if there is any way Cassidy is good for this and Benson insists no, but he is not good at defending himself. She thinks they have to look into this. Munch urges discretion and reminds them they can’t talk to the vic. Rollins suggests they talk to the people that know her, and Amaro says Heather mentioned a job teaching at a pole dancing studio in the East Village. Rollins makes a move to go, suggesting to Fin they work on their technique.

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

NBC has announced the season finale date for Law & Order SVU, along with several other NBC shows. Here is the press release:

March 19, 2013

NBC ANNOUNCES SEASON FINALE DATES FOR SEVERAL SERIES

“Chicago Fire” Wraps Up Winning Freshman Season on May 15 While May 27 Will Be Season’s Final Episode for Monday Hit “Revolution”

“Parks and Recreation” Concludes on May 2 and “Community”

Wraps Season on May 9

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. – March 19, 2013 – NBC has announced season-ending dates for a handful of its series, including hit dramas “Revolution” and “Chicago Fire,” as well as critically acclaimed comedy “Parks and Recreation.”

The season’s #1 drama on broadcast television in the 18-49 demo, “Revolution” will end on Monday, May 27 (10-11 p.m. ET). “Chicago Fire” will close out its first season on Wednesday, May 15 (10-11 p.m. ET).

Two current NBC series will wrap their seasons in April — two back-to-back episodes of “The New Normal” on Tuesday, April 2 (9-10 p.m. ET) and “Go On” on Thursday, April 11 (9:30 p.m. ET) — and two in March. “Whitney” will air back-to-back episodes on Wednesday, March 27 (8-9 p.m. ET) and “1600 Penn” will air its final episodes of the season on Thursday, March 28 (8:30-9 p.m. ET and 9:30-10 p.m. ET).

Other scripted series that have locked season end dates are “Grimm” on Friday, May 17 (9-10 p.m.), “Hannibal” on Thursday, June 27 (10-11 p.m. ET) and “Law & Order: SVU,” which will conclude the season with a two-hour episode on Wednesday, May 22 (9-11 p.m. ET).

It was previously announced that the Emmy Award-winning comedy “The Office” will lock its doors with an hour-long series finale on Thursday, May 16 (9-10 p.m. ET).

As for its reality shows, NBC’s “Fashion Star” will end its second season on Friday, May 10 (8 p.m. ET) and Donald Trump’s “The Celebrity Apprentice” wraps on Sunday, May 19 with a two-hour episode (9-11 p.m. ET).

“The Voice” will climax with its live season finale on Tuesday, June 18 (9-11 p.m. ET).

Friday, March 8, 2013

Here are the details for a new episode of Law & Order SVU “Legitimate Rape” which will air on Wednesday, March 27, 2013 at 9PM ET on NBC.

Law & Order SVU “Legitimate Rape ” Air Date March 27, 2013 (9 PM ET/8C Wednesday NBC)WHEN A SPORTS REPORTER (GUEST STAR LAUREN COHAN) ACCUSES HER CAMERAMAN (GUEST STAR DAVID MARCIANO) OF RAPE, THE CASE BECOMES MORE COMPLICATED WHEN SHE LEARNS SHE IS PREGNANT

A popular sports reporter (guest star Cohan) seeks out Detective Benson (Mariska Hargitay) to accuse a cameraman (guest star Marciano) of rape and stalking. The SVU squad and ADA Barba (Raúl Esparza) begin their preparations for a difficult trial when the victim learns she is pregnant as result of the rape. As the case proceeds, the defense uses controversial tactics in its efforts to persuade the jury. Also starring Ice-T (Detective Odafin Tutuola), Dann Florek (Captain Donald Cragen), Danny Pino (Detective Nick Amaro) and Kelli Giddish (Detective Amanda Rollins).

As he prepares to testify against pimp Bart Ganzel, a woman comes forward claiming that Brian Cassidy (guest star Winters) raped her while he was an undercover detective. ADA Barba (Raul Esparza), Detective Benson (Mariska Hargitay) and the SVU squad nervously await the outcome of the trial, concerned for Cassidy as well as the ongoing prosecution of Ganzel. When prosecutor Derek Strauss (Germann) pushes hard for a win, Cassidy and his lawyer (guest star Reg E. Cathey) use some surprising methods of defense, with shocking consequences for Detective Amaro (Pino). Also starring Ice-T (Detective Odafin Tutuola), Richard Belzer (Sergeant John Munch) and Kelli Giddish (Detective Amanda Rollins).